Road traffic injuries are an increasingly serious public health concern in the WHO African Region, causing an estimated 225 482 deaths in 2021. Africa accounts for 19% of the global burden of deaths, despite having only 15% of the global population and owning merely 3% of the global vehicle fleet.
Since 2010, there has been a concerning 17% increase in fatalities in the African Region, the only WHO region to experience such a surge. However, 17 countries in the Region have managed to reduce fatalities by up to 49%. Still, the African Region holds the highest fatality rate in the world, at 19.4 deaths per 100 000 population, with substantial variations among countries.
